SHOCK MOVE: Colorado Avalanche Part Ways with Head Coach Jared Bednar Amid Playoff Struggles and Internal Turmoil
By: Alex Parker
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NHL and left fans of the Colorado Avalanche reeling, the organization has announced the sudden and unexpected departure of head coach Jared Bednar. After six seasons at the helm, the architect behind the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory is no longer with the franchise. The decision comes on the heels of the Avalanche’s disappointing early exit from the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, which has exposed deeper cracks within the team’s foundation. What many believed to be a temporary setback has now led to a full-scale shakeup in one of the NHL’s premier franchises.
For those who have followed Bednar’s tenure, the move seems almost unthinkable. In his time as head coach, Bednar guided the Avalanche through a remarkable transformation. From a team mired in mediocrity to a Cup contender, he not only earned the trust of his players but also cultivated a culture of resilience and accountability. Under his watch, the Avalanche soared to unprecedented heights, culminating in their championship win just three years ago. But with the sting of a bitter playoff exit fresh on the minds of fans, it has become increasingly clear that all was not well beneath the surface of the organization.
The writing on the wall began to appear following the team’s unexpected and disappointing performance in this year’s playoffs. After finishing the regular season with a respectable 106 points and securing a top-three finish in the Western Conference, Colorado entered the postseason as one of the favorites to win it all. However, an early-round defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Wild exposed a lack of chemistry and a series of on-ice breakdowns that left many questioning Bednar’s tactical decisions. The Avalanche, known for their high-flying offense and suffocating defense, seemed to lose their identity in the series, unable to generate the same dominant presence they had displayed throughout the regular season.
While the team’s early playoff exit raised eyebrows, the deeper issue lay in the internal dynamics of the organization. Sources close to the team have revealed a growing tension between Bednar and several key players, particularly in the locker room. While the public face of the franchise remained the same—Bednar remained tight-lipped, as always, about any internal drama—the undercurrent of dissatisfaction had been brewing for months. In interviews, players, including franchise stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, seemed increasingly distant and frustrated, showing subtle signs of disengagement that had not been present in previous seasons. In hindsight, it seems as though the discontent had reached a breaking point during the playoff series, where it became painfully evident that the once-synergistic relationship between Bednar and his stars was faltering.
**A Fractured Relationship: The Strain on Bednar’s Leadership**
As rumors circulated in the aftermath of the Wild series, it became clear that the Avalanche’s decision to part ways with Bednar wasn’t just about his inability to adjust during the playoffs. Rather, it was the culmination of a larger issue: a strained relationship between the coach and his star players. Multiple sources within the team’s inner circle revealed that MacKinnon, Makar, and others were growing increasingly frustrated with Bednar’s rigid coaching style and his reliance on traditional strategies that no longer seemed to be working.
“Jared’s great at getting teams to play tough, disciplined hockey, but this is a league that’s evolving,” one anonymous player said. “We were trying to keep up with teams that have embraced new strategies, new ways of thinking, but we were stuck in the old system. And when that happens, you can feel it in the room. The energy just isn’t there anymore.”
The Avalanche’s rapid shift from the free-flowing, offensive juggernaut they were in 2022 to a more stagnant, defensive-minded squad this season was a direct reflection of Bednar’s evolving philosophy. His early success was driven by the team’s speed and dynamic play, but as other teams adapted and adjusted their approaches, Bednar’s system began to feel outdated and predictable.
To complicate matters further, Bednar’s reported tension with general manager Joe Sakic played a role in the decision. According to insiders, Sakic and the coaching staff had a strained relationship that only worsened as the season progressed. The Avalanche’s front office had been looking for ways to modernize the team’s approach to both on-ice play and player management, but Bednar’s reluctance to fully embrace these changes created friction between him and the front office. For Sakic, whose legacy as both a player and a GM has been built on adaptability and bold decisions, the lack of growth and cohesion between the coaching staff and management was a dealbreaker.
**The Avalanche’s Next Step: Searching for a New Vision**
In the wake of Bednar’s departure, speculation about the team’s next steps is already swirling. The Avalanche are a franchise that prides itself on success and innovation, and they now face the challenge of finding a head coach who can lead them into the next era. With a roster that includes some of the best talent in the league, including MacKinnon, Makar, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog, the Avalanche are still considered a Cup contender, but they’ll need the right leadership to realize their potential.
There are several potential candidates to replace Bednar, with names like Peter DeBoer, Bruce Cassidy, and former assistant coach David Quinn floating to the top of the list. However, the real question is whether the next coach will bring a fresh, more adaptable approach to the team’s playstyle and internal culture. The Avalanche’s next hire will not just be about hockey IQ but about fostering a new dynamic, one that balances old-school discipline with modern strategies.
For MacKinnon and Makar, the hiring of a coach who understands the changing landscape of the NHL and can empower them to thrive in a new system will be crucial. Reports indicate that the star players were consulted during the decision-making process, a sign that the organization is intent on restoring harmony within the locker room. For the fans, the hope is that this change will reinvigorate the team and return them to the top of the NHL standings.
**A Legacy in Limbo**
As for Bednar, his departure is a bittersweet end to what was, for the most part, a wildly successful tenure. When he was hired in 2016, the Avalanche were coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history, and Bednar inherited a team in turmoil. Yet, his hard-nosed approach, attention to detail, and unwavering belief in his system turned the franchise around in a matter of years. Under his leadership, the Avalanche not only became a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference but ultimately delivered Colorado its first Stanley Cup since 2001. His legacy as the coach who returned the Avalanche to glory will forever be cemented in the franchise’s history, despite the abrupt and controversial nature of his departure.
For Bednar, the future is uncertain. While there’s no doubt that his time in Colorado has left a significant mark on his career, the NHL is a league where the shelf life of coaches is often determined by results, and in this case, the results simply weren’t enough. As he steps away from the bench, one thing is clear: Jared Bednar’s story with the Colorado Avalanche may be over, but the ripples of his departure will be felt for years to come.
**Conclusion**
In the cutthroat world of the NHL, few decisions are more seismic than a coaching change, especially when that coach has led the franchise to its most significant achievement in recent memory. The Colorado Avalanche’s decision to part ways with Jared Bednar is a bold move, one that speaks to the evolving nature of the sport and the need for adaptability. For fans, players, and the front office, the coming months will determine whether this dramatic shift can propel the team back into contention—or if it will mark the beginning of a longer rebuilding process.